Page 14 of The Darkest Parts of Me

I certainly did, but I’m not sure handsome is sufficient to describe Renn’s appearance. From his observant and alluring eyes, to his sculpted features . . . I know there’s more to him, but I can’t put my finger on what it might be.

Tasha continues, “He just showed up one day and stayed. It was about a year after you . . . left.” I know she was about to say something else, and I’m glad she didn’t.

“Weird, but go on.” It was unusual for someone to randomly stop by and decide to stay for so long.

“Well, he’s probably one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Always willing to lend a helping hand, as you saw. He’s basically the town’s hero. Last summer, a little six-year-old girl wandered off from her family on a hiking trail and was lost in the woods. Everyone in town was searching for her, but Renn was the one who found her. He acted like it was no big deal.”

I nod. “Wow, that’s admirable.”

“Tell me about it!”

I can’t remember the last time Tash and I talked this excitedly about a guy. Probably not since we were teenagers. Neither of us has ever had a serious boyfriend, well I’ve had one, technically, and as far as I know, Tash still hasn’t. Dating hasn’t really been on my mind since the accident. I’ve never really had time to.

“But there is one thing . . .” she continues, tapping her nails against the bookshelf and scrunching her lips.

“What one thing?”

She hesitates, giving me a knowing look.

“Wait, did something happen between you two?”

She snorts. “No, nothing like that. He’s just a good friend, and besides, he doesn’t have flings with anyone as far as I know.”

“Okay . . .” I urge, motioning with my hands to keep going.

She purses her lips again. “He’s a bit of a mystery. He’s never spoken much about where he moved from, or about his family, and he doesn’t date.” It is a little peculiar, but nothing completely out of the ordinary.

“It is strange, I guess,” I say with a shrug. I don’t know why I care to ask, but I do. “How can you be sure he hasn’t had a relationship with anyone since he’s lived here?” I hate being so nosy, but my interest is definitely peaked.

Tasha snickers. “Because myself and every female in this town talk!” Both of us chuckle, and then I laugh harder because I love when Tasha cracks herself up like this. I’ve missed that.

“Fair enough.”

Tasha stretches her arms above her head, turning back to the bookshelves.

“Anything else you’ve been holding out on?” I ask skeptically.

“Nope, that’s it,” she says with a smug expression. I stick my tongue out at her as she walks to the end of the row of books.

At this point of inventory, I’m more distracted than ever, and it has nothing to do with books. I wish I could say that I haven’t given him another thought, but I’d be lying. I don’t share it with Tasha, but I’m more curious about Renn than I made it sound, especially by the mysterious past she claimed he has.

I bet Valery knows, I think, and I bite my lip to keep from smiling, thinking about how pleased she will be when I ask her about him. Four years is a long time to avoid questions and give no real answers. I would know, because I’ve done it myself.

The “how” he did it isn’t what causes me to think about Renn for the rest of the afternoon, it’s the “why.”

Why would he avoid his past?

I can’t help but wonder that maybe he’s running away from something too.

CHAPTER SIX

Renn

I’ve driven past Spruce Road countless times, but never ventured down it until today. When the cabin comes into view, my first thought is that it seems well-loved. It radiates warmth, with large, inviting windows and a deck that appears to wrap around the entire cabin.

I step out of my truck as Tova opens the front door and waves, meeting me at the steps leading up to the deck.

“Thank you so much for coming. To be honest, I probably would have made it worse if I attempted it myself.”

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